Hey that patient called me tonight (again). She stopped in an E.D. on the way home to Maine today for "full-blown case of cystitis." I never understood what was meant by a full-blown case of anything. They never taught us that term in medical school. We learned: UTI, ascending-UTI, cystitis, pyelonephritis. But my post-grad training didn't teach me what "full-blown" meant.
She has back pain, fever 101 and chills. They put her on "ciprosomething" and when I asked if it was 250 or 500mg she said "I don't know." I asked if she had the bottle and she "doesn't know where it is." Do you feel nauseated? "yes" and did you take it with food? "No" Will you please try? "I guess I can." Are you drinking lots of water? "Gallons and gallons but I'm very thirsty."
Knowing that she waited several days before seeking treatment, I advised her to treat the fever and pain w/ Tylenol 1,000mg q6h and if that isn't helping control symptoms within 24hours she needs to go to our local hospital for admission and IV antibiotics. She actually said "If that's the case can I call you and have you arrange it so I don't have to wait in the E.D.?"
What is it with E.D.-itis? I know we are a consumer society, drive thru pharmacies and express-everything. But really, can we all just take a step back and remember that life isn't about racing to the end and try to savor all of it's flavors both good and bad?
I'm taking a mini-vacation to Orlando tomorrow. Good bye snowy Maine, hello palm trees!
